Fluid mixing device



Feb. 12, 1952 c, BARKER 2,585,726

FLUID MIXING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1949 52 as 9 I 7 o as i W fig 3% Q 27 PM Patented Feb. 12, 1952 FLUIDMIXING DEVICE" Clifford'L'ewist Barker,Clyde Crescent; Cheltenham, England, assignor to Walker, Crosweller &'Company Limited, Clyde Crescent Chelten' ham, England Application July28, 1949 Serial-No. 107,197 In Great Britain man; 1948' 10:Claims. 11

This invention has reference to a' device; for

mixing streamsnfzflui'd? at diflerent" temperatures toi-producear;fluid'mixture at as. constant predetermined temperature; the' mixturetemperature being'determinedl by a thermally sensitive unitWhiChTiS'hOllSBdj within; the deviceand adjusts a valve? for varying therelative: proportions of the fluid streams fedz into the;device-and'mixed togethen It is customary'to-install' in. each of thepipes through'which' the: fluidistreams are fed to the mixing device; aseparate manually operated control-cock for terminatingthe flow of anyone or more of the said streams, as and when desired;

The prinicpal object of the present invention is to obviate thenecessity of providing such separate stop cocks and still enable theflow of the fluid streamsto the device to be terminated as and whendesired.

Another object ofthe invention is to'provide a fluid mixing-device forproviding afluid mixture of a predetermined temperature whichincorporates stop cocks for'terminatingthe flow of fluid'to the device.

Still another object of the invention is to en- I able the simultaneousactuation of all the stop cooks for terminating the flow offluidto themixing device by the operation of'a'single knob or handle.

Yet another object of the inventionxis to ensure that all the stop cocksfor terminating the flow of fluid to the mixing device, maybe closedeven though'one of the said cocks may assume its closed position beforeany'other.

These and other objects of the invention will.

be apparent from the following particular description of a typical fluidmixing device asshown in the accompanying drawing.

The accompanying drawing is a cross-sectional elevation of athermostatically controlled devicefor-mixing a stream of coldwaterwith'a stream of hot water or steam, to produce a mixture at a desiredpredetermined temperature;

The fluid mixing device'shown" comprises a base I having two radial andco-axial supply passages 2, 3, which extend to opposite sides of a:partition 4 where each is'formed with a' fluid outlet port 5, 5 Thepassages'are tapped attheir. fluid inlet ends 6 to enablerthe fluidsupply pipes (not shown) to be-connected therein and 17013118103561.

Thebase I is formed with-an internal well 1 wherein a mixingrvalve,comprising: a; cylindrical body 8 which issurroundedby a sleeve-,9,.isaccommodated. The:valve body is secured: upon the: floor of: the welland" is formed with two parallel passages-i I I}; I0,- which register.with the ports 5; 5 respectively. lwo systems of ports are-formed in'the-cylindrical body 8-to enable theflui'd streams to flow-into thewelll; theports in each system being. spaced at equi-angular distancesapart around the'body and the ports of one'system being located mid-waybetween two portsof the. other system.- One system of'ports, of whichone is shown at I I; communicatedirect- 1y or through complementarypassagesiormed in the body in a plane at right anglesto the'body axis,-with the passage I 0 and are located adjacent the bottom of the body;whereastheother system oi? ports; ofwhichone isshown at I-I,'communicate directly or through complementary body passages withthepassage Ili and are located adjacent t-heftop ofthe body 8; e

The sleeve valve 9-- is likewise formed with two systems of-= partswhich are located; respectively, in the planes! ofthe bodyports II and HThese sleeveports arerso arrangedthat-when the upper ports, of whichoneis-shownv at I 2 register with" the body-ports' H the lower ports(-notshow-n) are locatedwholly 'to one side of the body parts It;similarly; when thelower' sleeve ports are-taken into register with rthe body ports I-I by displacement of 'the sleeve 9 around the bodyBetheupperparts I2 arelocated wholly to one's-ide'of-the-ports Ilfurther, the-disposition of the two systems" of sleeve'por-ts is suchthat .-as soon'as 'the sleeve 9' is -moved to take the upper ports lzout of register with-the ports I-I thelower ports begin to overlap andmove into register.- with the body ports II. Consequently any movement"of the sleeve around" the body varies the" relative proportions-' ofthetwo fluid withinrthe seating: I 6:with itslargert diameter-end 1 adjacent the disc ll, so that; as the: stop 'valves are.:opened; the.flowoffiuidcommences gradually thereby 'eliminating'orrminimising thecreation ofe's-hockson" the-internal mechanism-of the-device:TheEdisc-is1 of greater diameter than the larger diameter end oftheasaidconicalportion shown).

and forms a peripheral shoulder around the latter.

Each stem l8 extends through a complementary bush l9 and is a slidingfit therein. The bushes are secured respectively within the upper endsof the body passages l and Ill and enable the stems to be reciprocatedaxially within the body 8 whilst preventing any angular or tiltingmovement thereof.

The stems are suspended from a yoke 20, their upper ends being pivotallyconnected to the outer ends of radial arms 2| of the said yoke.

The yoke is connected to the inner end of the spindle 22 by a stud 23which passes through an eye in the centre of the yoke and projects intoa pocket 24 formed in and axially of the spindle, the stud being securedwithin the said pocket by a pin 25. The stud is, therefore, rotatablewithin the yoke and the latter is, normally, located in a plane at rightangles to the stud and spindle;

"howeverfto ensure that both the washered discs 11 may be brought intovalve closing contact with theirrespective seatings l6 should one stopvalve be closed before the other, the face 22 of the yoke-supporting endof the spindle is inclined inwardly and downwardly towards the centre ofthe spindle so that the yoke is capable of making a limited rockingmovement upon the stud should unequal forces be applied thereto by thestems l 8.

The spindle 22 extends through the crown of a cover 26 which is boltedto the top of the base I,

and has a screw-connection with a bush 21 which is rotatably mountedwithin the said cover crown and carries, on its inner end, a thermallysensitive unit comprising two spiral bimetallic coils 28, 29, whichinitiates the movement of the ported sleeve 9 around the body 8 of themixture control valve, should the temperature of the fluid mixture varyfrom a predetermined valve, to vary the relative pro ortions of the twofluid streams "between the spindle and bush, also causes rela-.- tivelon itudinal movement of the spindle, yoke and stems. In theaccompanying drawing, the

stop valves I 3, I 3 are shown closed. and have cut oiT the flow of thefluid streams from the passages 2 and 3 into the well 1; rotation of theknob 30 and spindle 22 in the appro riate direction relatively to thebush 21, opens the valves simultaneously and. permits the flow of thefluid streams. The streams are mixed within the well 1 and the mixtureis caused to flow therefrom into the cover 28 and over the coils 28, 29.and is then dischar ed throu h an outlet port (not Leaka e of mixturefrom the device past the spindle 22 and bush 21, is prevented by packinglands 32 and 33 respectively.

The bush 2'1 is formed with a flan e 34 around its inner end and aninverted-thimble 35 wherein outer end of the coil 28 is coupled to theouter end of the coil 29 by a rigid strap 31 of which 'the inner end iscoupled to a second collar 38 Y disposed around the lowerpart of thethimble;

the collar is provided with diametrically opposed and depending pins(not shown) which engage a complementary recesses in the upper edge ofthe mixing valve sleeve 9 for imparting drive from the thermallysensitive unit to the said sleeve.

To and around the outer end of the bush 21, there is keyed a nut 2'!having a system of serrations 39 around its periphery, the saidserrations being engaged by teeth formed around the internal peripheryof a knob or handle 40 socketted on to the said nut and secured to thelatter by a bolt 4|.

When it is desired to adjust the thermally sensitive unit to change thetemperature of the discharged fluid mixture, the knob 40 is partiallyrotated upon the cover 26, its movement being limited by the head of ascrew 42 on the cover engaging a recess 43 in the knob; this rotationalmovement is transferred, through the nut 21*, to the bush 2'! andspindle 22 and yoke-carrying stud 22 without displacing the yoke 20, andfrom the bush 2! to the thimble 35 and collar 36, thus tensioning orrelieving the tension in the coils 28, 29. I

On the other hand,- the opening and closing of the stop valves [3, 13*,by rotation of the knob or handle 30 and spindle 22, is not transferredto the bush 2? so that the actuation of the said valves is effectedwithout upsetting the adjustment either of the thermally sensitive unitor the sleeve of the mixing valve.

It is to be understood that the fluid mixing device described and shownis only one example of carrying out the present invention, and thatvarious modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the following claims.

Having described'my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

l. A fluid mixing device comprising a casing having two aligned fluidsupply passages each opening into the interior of the casing through acorresponding inlet port,- a cylindrical body secured to and internallyof the casing and having two longitudinal fluid transfer passages formedtherein and registering respectively with the said inlet ports, and asystem, of peripheral fluid outlet ports for each transfer passage, aported sleeve mounted and rotatable around the said body, a thermallysensitive unit housed within the casing and coupled to the ported sleevefor displacing the latter upon the said body under the control oftemperature variations within the casing, and varying the relativeproportions of the fluid streams flowing through the said passages andports, a seating formed around the fluid inlet end of each of the saidtransfer passages, a guide bush secured in and co-axially of theopposite end of each of the transfer passages, a rigid stem extendingthrough each of the said transfer passages and guide bushes, a washereddisc mounted on each of the said stems for contacting the correspondingseating, a spindle carried in and axially displaceable relatively to thesaid casing and a yoke mounted on the said spindle, the said rigid stemsbeing connected by their ends which project beyond the correspondingguide bushes, to the said yoke.

2. A fluid mixing device comprising a casing a wall surrounding saidcasing having two aligned fluid inlet passages each opening into theinterior of the casing through a corresponding inlet port, a cylindricalbody secured to and internally of the casing and having two longitudinalfluid transfer passages formed therein and registering respectively withthe said inlet ports, and a system of fluid outlet ports for eachtransfer passage, a ported sleeve mounted and rotatable around "the-saidbody; athermally sensitive unit housed within the'casingand coupled-tothe portedsleeve'for displacing the latter" upon the said body under thecontrol of temperature variations within the casing, andvaryingstherelative proportions of the fluid streams flowing through thesaid passages and ports, a seating formed around 'the fluid inlet end ofeach ofthe said' transfer passages, a guide-bush secured in andoo-axially ofthe opposite end of each of tlie said' transfer-passages, arigid stem extending through each of the said guide bushes andtransferpassages and carrying awashereddisc for impacting and closingthe corresponding sea-ting, both stemsbeingconnected to a common yokehaving a central eye therein, a stud extending freely through saideyeand being' secured with in a-pocket in the adjacent end-of a spindleextending through a' wall of the casing, thesaid spindle-end beingformed with an inwardly ine 'clined face to permit the yoke to rock inthe pl'ane'of'the spindle and the spindle beinglongitudinally-displaceabl'e relatively to the casing, and a handlesecured'tc the saidspindle externally-of the'said casingfor'effectingthe said longitudinal displacement and, taking the saidWashered discs into'andout of impact with the said se atings.

3'. A fluid mixing device comprising a casing having aplurality offluidsupply'passages, an internal mixing chamber for fluids supplied throughthe'said'passages, and a mixture'outlet, a body fixed within the saidchamber, having longitudinal fluid transfer passages each incommunication witha corresponding supply passage, and peripheral portsestablishing communication between the said transfer passages and thesaid chamber,,a ported sleeve disposed around the said body, a.thermally sensitiveunit within the saidchamber being'coupled to thesaid sleeve for adjusting the latter relatively to the said body, astopvalve in each transfer passage on the supply side of said peripheralports for controlling the flow of. fluid. through each supply passageand-the corresponding. transferpassage, a guide bushin saidsupplypassage ontheopposite side of. the saidperipheral ports. to the saidstop-valve a rigid stem-connected toreach stop valve, extending alongthecorresponding transfer passage and through thecorresponding guidebush into the said mixing chamber, a. spindle mounted in-and-axiallydisplaceable relatively to the casing, andayokerotatably carried-on thesaid spindle internally of the saidchamberand havingradial-arms equal innumber tothe said body, a stop valve in each transfer passage on thesupply-side-of the said peripheral ports" for controlling the-flow-oifluid through each-supply passage and the corresponding transferpassage, a guide bush in the said supply passage on the swam-2eopposite:side'. of. theiperipheral. portsito the said step valve a .linkconnected. to; each; stops valve and extending along the.corresponding'transfer passage and through thecorresponding: guide bushintdthesaid. mixing chamber, a;. spindle mounted in and'axiallydisplaceable: relatively to the casing, and ayokescarriedon thesaidspindle internally of the. said chamber/and having. radialarms'equal in number to the: saidstems, the stems being connected tothesa'idtyokeaarmsiand the yoke beingrockable' about its connectionto thespindle.

5. A fluid l mixing device comprising a casing having a: crown portionanda plurality of fluid supply passages in the base thereof, an internalmixing chamber for fluids supplied. through the said passages, and amixture outlet, abodyflxed to-an internal wall of the'said chamber basehavinglongitudinal fluid'itransferi passages each in communication witha. corresponding; supply passage, and peripheral. ports.establishingicome munication between" the said transfer passages and thesaid chamber, a ported sleeveyidisposed around the said body,. a bushhaving atapped bore, rotatably mounted in thecrown ofthe casringco-axially with the said body and projecting into the interior of the:said chamber. towards the said body, a thermally sensitive unit'carriedby said tapped bush withintheisaid' chamber, being operatively coupledto the said sleeve'for adjusting the latter relatively to the said body,a screw threaded spindle extending through and having a screwengagementwith. the saidtapped bush, a stop valve ineach. transferpassage: on the supply side of saidperipheralports foricon trolling theflow of fluid through each supply passage and the corresponding transferpassage, a guide bush in each transfer passage on the opposite side ofthe peripheral ports to thesaid stop valve, and a rigid stem connectedto each stop valve and extending along the corresponding. transferpassage and through: the corresponding guide bush into the said mixingchain'- ber, all the said stems being connected to the end of the saidspindle withinthe said chamber.

6. A fluid mixing device comprising-Fa casing having a plurality offluid supply passages; an internal mixing chamber for fiuids' suppliedthrough the'said passages, and a mixture' outlet, a body fixed Withinthe said chamber, having longitudinal fluid transfer passagesteachincommunication with a corresponding supply passage. and peripheralports establishing communication between the said transfer .passagesandthe said chamber, a ported sleeve disposed around the said body, a bushhaving'a tapped bore; rotatably mounted in a Wall of the casingco-axially with thesaid body andprojecting' into the" interior of 'thesaid'chamber, a thermallysensitive unit-carried by the said tappedbushwithinlthe said chamber being operativelycoupled" to" the saidsleeve for adjusting'the latter relatively to the said body, a screwthreaded -spindle extending through and having a screw engagement withthe said bore, a stop valvein each transfer'passage on the supply sideof the said peripheral ports for controlling the flow of fluid througheach supply passage and the correspondingr transfer passage, aguide bushin each transfer passage on'the opposite side of'th'e peripheral'portsto the said stop valve; a rigi'd'stemi ccnnected'itb each stop valve,extending along thecorresponding transfer" passage and through: the"corresponding guide bush :into :the said-T mixing chamber, a yokerotatably and rockably mounted on the said spindle within the saidchamber, the

and peripheral ports establishing communication between the saidtransfer passages and the said chamber, a ported sleeve disposed aroundthe said body, a bush, having a tapped bore, rotatably mounted in andextending through a Wall of the casing in co-axial relationship with thesaid body, an inverted thimble secured to the said bush within the saidchamber, at least one bimetallic coil disposed around and secured by oneend to the said thimble, the other end of .the said coil being coupledto the said sleeve for adjusting the latter relatively to the said body,

a screw-threaded spindle extending through and engaging within the saidbore and extending into the interior of the said thimble, a yokerotatably and rockably mounted on the spindle end within the thimble andhaving a number of radial arms equal to the number of supply andtransfer passages, a stop valve in each transfer passage on the supplyside of the said peripheral ports for controlling the flow of fluidthrough each supply passage and the corresponding transfer passage,

a guide bush in each transfer passage on the opposite side of theperipheral ports to the said stop valve, and a rigid stem connected toeach stop valve, extending along the corresponding transfer passage andthrough the corresponding guide bush into the said thimble, where it ispivotally connected to a corresponding yoke arm.

8. A fluid mixing device comprising a casing having a plurality of fluidsupply passages, an internal mixing chamber for fluids supplied throughthe said passages, and a mixture outlet, a body fixed within the saidchamber, having longitudinal fluid transfer passages each incommunication with a corresponding supply passage, and peripheral portsestablishing communication between the said transfer passages and thesaid chamber, a ported sleeve disposed around the said body, a bush,having a tapped bore, rotatably mounted in and extending through a wallof the casing in co-axial relationship with the said body, an invertedthimble secured to the said bush within the said chamber, at least onebimetallic coil disposed around and secured by one end to the saidthimble, the other end of the said coil being coupled to the said sleevefor adjusting the latter relatively to the said body, a, screw-threadedspindle extending through and engaging within the said bore andextending into the interior of the said thimble, a yoke rotatably androckably mounted on the spindle end within the thimble and. having anumber of radial arms equal to the number of supply and transferpassages, a stop valve in each transfer passage on the supply side ofthe 'said peripheral ports for controlling the flow of fluid througheach supply passage and the corresponding transfer passage, a guide bushin each ripheral ports to the said stop valve and a rigid stem connectedto each stop valve, extending along the corresponding transfer passageand through the corresponding guide bush into the said thimble, where itis pivotally connected to a corresponding yoke arm, an annular knobassembled to the said tapped bush externally of the casing, and a knobassembled to the spindle outwardly of and concentrically tothe saidannular knob.

9. A fluid mixing device comprising a casing having a plurality of fluidsupply passages, an internal mixing chamber for fluids supplied throughsaid passages, and a mixture outlet, a body fixed within the saidchamber having longitudinal fluid transfer passages one end of each ofwhich is in communication with a corresponding supply passage, andperipheral ports establishing communication between each said transferpassage and the said mixing chamber, a ported sleeve disposed around thesaid body, a thermally sensitive unit within the said chamber beingoperatively coupled to the said sleeve for adjusting the latterrelatively to the said body, a stop valve in each transfer passage onthe supply side of the said peripheralports, a guide bush in the otherend of each transfer passage, a rigid stem extending from each stopvalve through the corresponding transfer passage and guide bush into thesaid mixing chamber, and a spindle mounted in and axially displaceablerelatively to the casing, all the said stems being connected to the saidspindle internally of the said chamber.

10. A fluid device comprising a casing-having a plurality of fluidsupply passages, an internal mixing chamber for the fluids suppliedthrough the said passages, and a mixture outlet, a valve housed withinthe said casing and controlling the fluid streams flowing from the saidsupply passages to the said chamber, a thermally sensitive unit housedwithin the casing and coupled to the said valve for varyingautomatically the relative proportions of the said fluid streams withvariations in the temperature of the fluid mixture, a bush mounted androtatable about its axis in the said casing and having a tapped bore,the said thermally sensitive unit being carried by the said bush, ascrew threaded spindle extending through and having a screw engagementwith the said bore, a separate stop valve accommodated within each ofthe said fluid passages, a guide bush rigidly secured in and co-axiallyof each of the said passages on the fluid outlet side of thecorresponding stop valve, a yoke mounted internally of the casing uponthe said spindle, the-latter being rotatable relatively to the saidyoke, a separate rigid stem extending through each of the said guidebushes and connecting the movable member of the corresponding stop valveto the said yoke, and a handle mounted on the said spindle externally ofthe casing for rotating the said spindle in the bush so as to effectlongitudinal displacement of the spindle, yoke and stem relatively tothe said bush to open and close the stop valves.

CLIFFORD LEWIS BARKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date

